Father and Son by S.E. Law

4

Sarah

It’s been a week since I started working for City Girls, and it’s been mind-blowing. Not just because of the incredible interludes I shared with two men, but because I’ve already made a decent chunk of change. It’s not quite enough to prevent my parents’ house from going into foreclosure just yet, but at this rate, I’ll definitely get there. In fact, if this continues, I might be well on my way to owning a small house of my own because City Girls has been incredibly lucrative for me. I saw Braden twice last week, and also Grant twice last week, meaning that I was booked four nights out of seven. Both men were incredibly generous, and as a result, my bank account balance is growing in leaps and bounds.

But it’s more than that. I genuinely enjoy spending time with both men, and feel comfortable in their presence. Braden is almost like a younger version of Grant in some ways because they both own brokerages, it’s just that Grant started Collins decades ago, while Braden just opened True North. Plus, they look somewhat similar, although of course, there are two decades between them. They both have black hair and blue eyes, although at twenty-eight, Braden’s just a tiny bit more athletic and muscular. But what Grant doesn’t have in sheer physical power, he makes up with animal magnetism. The older man is a dirty daddy who’s already taught me some secrets about my own body, and I love every second of it.

Of course, a part of me feels slightly guilty because I’m sleeping with two men at once. I never thought I would be “that girl,” but sure enough I am. It feels deliciously dirty, even though psychologically, I’m still battling myself. But I push the guilt from my mind. This is just how the job works, and I can’t ruminate incessantly about things outside of my control. Again, this is what I do for a living now, and I just have to deal with it.

But today, Braden’s booked me for a third date and I’m looking forward to it because it’s an afternoon rendezvous, instead of our usual night-time shenanigans. The weather outside is gorgeous, so I’m wearing a modest blue sundress with a lace hem and flat espadrilles. Braden didn’t tell me what our date is, he just said I don’t need to do anything too fancy. But I still want to look nice, so I think the sundress is a good choice.

Smiling, I hop out of my Uber at Columbus Circle and head over to the entrance to Central Park where the gold statue stands. I wonder what Braden’s up to? Immediately I catch sight of the handsome man and he looks amazing in casual jeans and a gray t-shirt that emphasizes that broad, muscular form. Even more surprising, he’s got a picnic basket over one arm, along with a heavy duty blanket.

“Hey sweetheart,” he says, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek. “How are you?”

I smile into those clear blue eyes.

“I’m good, but what’s all this?” I ask, gesturing to the basket.

He grins.

“I thought we’d have a picnic in the park today, since it’s beautiful out.”

I giggle. “Did you pack us lunch?”

Braden chuckles. “Well, no, not exactly. I might have ordered it from Café Boulud because I can hardly slap together a sandwich. But it’s the thought that counts.”

With that, I link my arm through his and we begin walking into the park to find the perfect place to park ourselves. The trees tower over us, sending dappled sunlight through the leaves, and I sigh happily. It’s so sweet that Braden wanted to do this, and I love the idea of an outdoor meal.

“So even sandwiches are too much?” I ask teasingly. “How do you survive if you can’t make a sandwich?”

Braden grins at me, flashing even white teeth. “Okay, maybe I’m not that bad, but I’m not great at the stove definitely,” Braden says as we stroll through the park. “I had a personal chef a while back because it was convenient, and because they were amazing at making all my favorite foods. That was a treat.”

“Oh, wow,” I marvel. “Do you still have someone cook for you?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not home enough to justify it, to be honest. Business takes me on a lot of work lunches and dinners, not to mention work breakfasts. Those kind of suck, but it’s just part of my job.”

I squeeze his elbow.

“Yeah I get it. But I love to cook, to be honest. I find it relaxing to be in the kitchen.”

He grins.

“See, I get my relaxation by working out. That’s why I hate business breakfasts. Usually, I hit the gym in the morning, so those breakfasts force me to get up even earlier to work up a solid sweat.”

I laugh. “Well, I’m sure it won’t hurt to miss a day or two. You’re in amazing shape,” I whisper, squeezing his arm again.

Braden shoots me a steamy look.

“Like what you see, huh?” he growls.

I titter. “Very much so.”

With that we come upon a small, shaded area next to a beautiful stone bridge.

“This looks perfect,” Braden says, surveying the site. “It’s quiet and pretty private actually. We won’t have to worry about a ton of foot traffic going by.”

“It looks great,” I say approvingly. “Very secluded and beautiful.”

My man sets down the picnic basket before spreading out the blanket, and then invites me to sit.

“I hope you’re hungry,” he growls, “because the restaurant packed a lot of food.”

I smile, laughing. “I’m starving, and I always love eating.”

“Excellent.”

Braden hands me a roast beef sandwich with arugula before setting out a containers of beet salad, cucumber salad, roast potatoes, fingerling fries, mac and cheese, as well as an entire loaf of bread.

“Wow, this is a feast!” I exclaim. Braden grins at me, helping himself to a huge pastrami sandwich.

“Only the best for my girl.”

His words make me feel special in a way that they shouldn’t, and I remind myself to keep my head on straight. But why not enjoy myself while I’m at it? I take a bite out of the sandwich and moan as meat juices squirt all over my tongue. “Mmm, that’s incredible.”

Braden laughs. “I’m glad you like it because Boulud is my favorite. They never disappoint.”

I smile. “You spoil me with all this delectable food.”

“It’s worth it.”

I blush as he gazes at me with serious eyes, but then he changes the subject.

“So, how was class yesterday? I know you mentioned you had a big test.”

I nod happily. “I think I did really well actually. It was for my developmental psychology class, and I like that course a lot so that helps.”

“I’m glad to hear,” Braden nods. “It’s important to enjoy what you do, or you’ll be miserable at work, and it’ll be impossible to succeed. After all, how can you devote yourself to something you hate?”

I cock my head at him, pausing for a moment.

“Do you enjoy being a real estate agent?”

Braden’s eyes flash as he smiles. “I do. It gives me the chance to see a ton of amazing places around the city, and I’m a great salesman. But like I mentioned, I own the brokerage now, so I’ve pulled back a bit from the agent side of things. Now, I’m management.”

I smile while taking another bite of my sandwich.

“And how is that?”

He shrugs a bit ruefully.

“It’s okay. There are a lot of administrative duties, not to mention HR. That kind of sucks, but at the same time, my business is built on the people who work for me, so I don’t have a choice.”

I nod.

“It must be difficult, running your own shop.”

He nods.

“It is, because I feel responsible for a lot of things. Not just my livelihood, but also those of my employees too. But you’re going to be successful too, honey. Just give your career some time.”

I sigh, putting my sandwich down. “I hope so. Sometimes it’s hard and I lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. But I think I can make it as a therapist if I stick with my schooling. It just feels interminable at times, you know?”

Braden strokes my knee gently, as shocks go straight to my secret spot. “You can’t give up, Sarah. The world needs people like you who really care. There are very few women like you, Sarah, and I feel lucky that we met.”

His words touch me to the heart, and I melt inside. Who knew a client could make me feel like this? The afternoon continues to pass companionably as we chat and eat. Everything is amazing, but suddenly, I’m struck by the sudden thought that I wish Grant were here, too. How crazy is that? After all, I’m on a date with Braden right now, and he’s incredibly gorgeous. Yet, I can’t help but thinking it would be even more amazing if I had both men here with me at once. OMG, I’m going insane.

Suddenly, a dog runs up. He’s a cute one, probably a mutt with brown fur and a big wet nose. He nudges my elbow and pants happily, his ears flapping.

“Hey!” I exclaim. “What’s this?”

I stroke his fur, looking up to find his owner, and to my shock, Grant’s standing not thirty feet away. OMG, OMG. What do I do now? How can this be happening? Clients shouldn’t be meeting each other, but now Braden and Grant are on a collision course.

But to my surprise, Braden looks up to and squints as he sees Grant across the way.

“Hey Dad,” he says casually. “What’s up? Fancy meeting you here at Central Park.”

Dad?My heart almost beats out of my chest as my face flushes and my cheeks go hot. Holy hell, Grant is Braden’s dad? I’ve been sleeping with two men, who are also father and son? My head spins, and suddenly, I feel like I’m going to faint.